Snowboard training apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

A snowboard training apparatus is provided that can limit a snowboarder&#39;s weight shift on a snowboard, or limit a snowboarder from shifting his weight improperly to his back foot. The snowboard training apparatus includes a strap comprising a first end, a second end, and an adjustment device to alter a length of the strap. A snowboarder attachment device is connected to the first end of the strap and is adapted for connection to a front-facing side of the waist of the snowboarder. The training apparatus further includes a snowboard attachment device connected to the second end of the strap. The snowboard attachment device is adapted for connection along a forward portion of the snowboard. The strap is adjustable to a length that limits the snowboarder&#39;s shift in weight from a first forward positioned foot to a second rearward positioned foot.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Reference is made to and this application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/431,273, filed Jan. 10, 2011, entitled “SNOWBOARD TRAINING APPARATUS”, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a snowboard training apparatus, and in particular to a training apparatus to assist a snowboarder in maintaining proper weight balance.

BACKGROUND

Snowboards are boards, which resemble a wide ski, with the ability to glide on snow. To ride a snowboard, a user stands with feet substantially transverse to the longitude of the board, though one or both feet might be angled somewhat obliquely. The snowboarder's legs will be positioned substantially in line with the longitude of the board. Users of snowboards are referred to as snowboarders. The snowboarder orients the snowboard with the longitude generally extending downward, or down the slope, to allow gravity to pull the snowboard and the snowboarder down the slope, gliding on the snowy or icy surface of the slope. The snowboarder can steer the snowboard down the slope by turning the snowboard left and right. Turning the snowboard left and right can also help reduce the speed of the snowboard, as the steepness of the path of travel can be reduced by angling left and right across the slope rather than straight down the slope, and as the snowboard can push snow as it turns, which provides a force counter to gravity. The snowboarder uses his back foot to change the orientation of the snowboard.

To ride the snowboard and steer the snowboard properly, the snowboarder must maintain his weight balance properly, not only to the left and right of the snowboard, but also between the front and back of the snowboard, or between the down slope side and the up slope side of the snowboard. Generally, while oriented straight down the slope, the snowboarders weight should be balanced slightly forward of center to the center of the snowboard. With the weight balanced forward, the back foot is able to move the back of the board to the left or right, and thusly change the orientation of the board.

Beginner and intermediate snowboarders, or snowboarders learning to ride on more challenging terrain, often have a tendency to lean backward or up the slope, which improperly shifts their weight to their back feet. This tendency can be a natural and/or reflexive reaction that can be overcome through experience and practice. In the meantime, with the weight shifted onto the back foot, the snowboarder loses his ability to properly turn, control speed, and possibly stop. This loss of control of the snowboard is dangerous to the snowboarder and other snowboarders or skiers in the vicinity.

SUMMARY

It would be advantageous to accelerate the rate at which snowboarders acquire the skill to balance their weight properly between the front and back legs.

It would also be advantageous to reduce or prevent snowboarders from improperly shifting their weight to their back feet.

In one aspect of the invention, a snowboard training apparatus is provided that can limit a snowboarder's weight shift on a snowboard, or limit a snowboarder from shifting his weight improperly to his back feet. The snowboard training apparatus includes a strap comprising a first end, an opposing second end, and an adjustment device adapted to alter a length of the strap. A snowboarder attachment device is connected to the first end of the strap. The snowboarder attachment device is adapted for connection to a front-facing side of the waist of the snowboarder. The training apparatus further includes a snowboard attachment device connected to the second end of the strap. The snowboard attachment device is adapted for connection along a forward portion of the snowboard. The strap is adjustable to a length that limits the snowboarder's shift in weight from a first foot positioned on a forward portion of the snowboard to a second foot positioned on a rearward portion of the snowboard.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for training a snowboarder proper weight balance when riding a snowboard. The method includes a step of providing a strap that includes a first end, an opposing second end, and an adjustment device adapted to alter a length of the strap. Further provided is a snowboarder attachment device connected to the first end of the strap. The snowboarder attachment device is adapted for connection to a front-facing side of the waist of the snowboarder. Further provided is a snowboard attachment device connected to the second end of the strap. The snowboard attachment device is adapted for connection along a forward portion of the snowboard. The method further includes the steps of fastening the snowboarder attachment device to a front-facing side of the waist of the snowboarder, and fastening the snowboard attachment device to the front of the snowboard. The method further includes a step of adjusting the strap to a length that limits the snowboarder's shift in weight from a first foot positioned on a forward portion of the snowboard to a second foot positioned on a rearward portion of the snowboard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features described herein can be better understood with reference to the drawings described below. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicate like parts throughout the various views.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a snowboarder using a snowboard training apparatus, according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of a snowboard attachment apparatus.

FIG. 3 depicts a magnified perspective view of a portion of the snowboard training apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 depicts a magnified perspective view of another portion of the snowboard training apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 depicts a side view of the snowboard attachment device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments which may be practiced. These embodiments are described in detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural, logical and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following description of example embodiments is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

A snowboard training apparatus is provided to reduce or prevent a snowboarder from improperly shifting his weight onto his back foot. FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 illustrates a snowboarder 10 using a snowboard training apparatus 100, according to one embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the snowboarder 10 is attached to a snowboard 20 in riding position. The snowboard training apparatus 100 includes an adjustable strap 110, a snowboarder attachment device 120, and a snowboard attachment device 130. The snowboard training apparatus 100 connects to the snowboarder 10 at a first end of the snowboard training apparatus and connects to the snowboard 20 at a second end of the snowboard training apparatus.

Still referring to FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the strap 110 includes a first end 109, an opposing second end 111, and an adjustment device 116 adapted to allow the snowboarder 10 to adjust the length of the strap to accommodate the height of the snowboarder. Generally, the strap 110 has an adjustable length long enough to extend taughtly or loosely from a front tip 108 of the snowboard 20 to the front-facing hip or waist 107 of snowboarders 10 having a range of heights. The strap 110 can be nylon, polyester, hemp, or another material suitably pliant and strong. The strap 110 can be strong enough to support a heavy snowboarder 10 pulling on the strap when it is connected to the snowboarder 10 at one end and to the snowboard 20 at the opposite end, while the snowboarder 10 is standing on and/or riding the snowboard 20. For instance, the strap 110 can be strong enough to handle at least a 100 pound (approx. 45 kilogram) test load.

The strap 110 connects to the snowboarder 10 through a connection to the snowboarder attachment device 120. In one embodiment, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4, the strap 110 can connect to the snowboarder attachment device 120 using a first clip 112. The first end 109 of the strap 110 can connect to the first clip 112 by looping through a hoop 113 on the first clip 112, and by either being sewn to another portion of the strap 110, or by threading through a strap holder 117. The strap holder 117 can be incorporated as part of the length adjustment device 116. Alternatively, the strap 110 can loop directly through the snowboarder attachment device 120 without using the first clip 112.

Similarly, at the opposing second end 111 of the strap 110, the strap connects to the snowboard 20 through a connection to the snowboard attachment device 130. In one embodiment, as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the strap 110 can connect to the snowboard attachment device 130 using a second clip 114. The second end 111 of the strap 110 can connect to the clip 114 by looping through a second hoop 115 on the second clip 114, and by either being sewn to another portion of the strap 110, or by being threaded through the strap holder 117. Alternatively, the strap 110 can loop directly through the snowboard attachment device 130 without using the second clip 114. Other known methods can also be used to attach the strap 110 to the second clip 114 or the snowboard attachment device 130.

The snowboarder attachment device 120 can be a carabiner, a spring clip, or another fastener that can be quickly and easily fastened to and unfastened from the snowboarder 10. In particular, the snowboarder attachment device 120, during use, can be fastened to a belt 12 worn around the hip or waist 108 of the snowboarder 10. In some embodiments, this belt 12 can be supplied by the snowboarder 10, whereas in some embodiments, the belt 12 is incorporated as part of the snowboard training apparatus 100. The snowboarder attachment device 120 can be comprised of a strong plastic, a metal, or another material capable of supporting a heavy snowboarder 10 pulling away while standing on and/or riding the snowboard 20. For instance, the snowboarder attachment device 120 can be strong enough to handle at least a 100 pound (approx. 45 kilogram) load. The snowboarder attachment device 120 connects to the belt 12 on the side of the snowboarder 10 that faces toward the front of the snowboard 20.

The snowboard attachment device 130 can connect between the strap 110 and the snowboard 20 at the front of the snowboard 20. In one example, the connection will be at the front tip 107 of the snowboard 20, and in other examples, the connection will be along a front edge 106 of the snowboard 20. The front edge 106 is considered to be the entire curved edge extending from the toe-side straight edge to the heel side straight edge.

In one embodiment, as is depicted in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, the snowboard attachment device 130 comprises a form of C-clamp. A C-clamp is a clamp shaped similar to the letter “C”. The C-clamp 130 can have a bolt 132 that can be threaded through one portion of the C-clamp to secure the C-clamp to the snowboard 20. The bolt 132 or any other clamping surface can have a gripping material 134 to reduce or prevent the C-clamp from damaging the snowboard 20. A body 136 of the C-clamp can be formed of metal, a hard plastic, or another material strong enough to withstand the force of a heavy snowboarder 10 pulling away while standing on and/or riding the snowboard 20. For instance, the snowboard attachment device 130 can be strong enough to handle at least a 100 pound (approx. 45 kilogram) test load.

A fastener 138, e.g., a carabiner, a spring clip, or a similar fastener that can be quickly and easily fastened to and unfastened from the snowboard 20, can be connected to the C-clamp 130. In one embodiment, a slot is formed in the body 136 of the C-clamp 130 on a portion facing the snowboarder during use, and a pin 139 is inserted through two opposing sides of the body 136 of the C-clamp that define the slot. The fastener 138 is attached to the C-clamp around the pin 136 so that the fastener 138 can pivot and automatically adjust its angle for use with snowboarders having various heights.

In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated by FIG. 2, a snowboard attachment device 230 can comprise a hoop 236 affixed to the snowboard 20. The hoop 236 can be affixed in one place, such as at the front tip 207 of the snowboard 20, or the hoop 236 can be adjustably affixed to the snowboard 20 so that the hoop can be moved around the front of the snowboard 20, such as around the curved front edge 206 of the snowboard 20. In the embodiment, the fastener 138 can connect to the hoop 236.

The snowboarder 10 equips the snowboard training apparatus 100 by performing the following steps in the order desired by the snowboarder 10. The snowboarder attaches the snowboard 20 to his front foot 14 and to his rear foot 16. The snowboarder 10 fastens the snowboard training apparatus 100 along the front 106, 107 of the snowboard 20. The snowboarder 10 secures the snowboard training apparatus 100 to the front-facing side of his hip or waist 108, and the snowboarder 10 adjusts the strap 110 to the desired length using the adjustment device 116. During adjustment, the strap 110 can be shortened or lengthened. However, the strap 110 can be lengthened prior to connecting the strap to the hip or waist in order to ease equipping the strap 110. Therefore, the strap 110 is likely to need shortening to put it at the desired length. The adjustment device 116 can be locked to hold the strap at the desired length.

With the snowboard 10 and the snowboard training apparatus 100 equipped, the desired length of the strap 110 can be determined by standing in the normal athletic stance in which one stands during good snowboarding form, with the snowboarder's weight properly centered over the middle of the board from side to side, and balanced between the front foot 14 and the rear foot 16. The proper balance is generally with equal or more weight on the front foot 14 than on the rear foot 16. In this position of proper balance, the length of the strap 110 can be adjusted so the strap 110 is taught, or so the snowboarder cannot shift weight to his back foot 16 merely by leaning his body toward the back of the snowboard 20 (corresponding to the upslope). Once the strap 110 is taught, it can be loosened slightly, an amount desirable to enable the snowboarder 10 to snowboard in the proper position without constantly feeling the tension of the strap 110. The strap 110, at the properly adjusted length, limits the amount the snowboarder 10 can lean back toward the back of the snowboard 20 or upslope.

The strap 110 can also be adjusted to alternatively desirable lengths. For instance, for training on a heel turn (i.e. a turn toward the side of the snowboard 20 closest to the heels), the snowboard attachment device 130 can be moved around the front of the snowboard 20 toward the toe side of the snowboard 20, and the length of the strap 110 can be adjusted as described above, but with the snowboarder 10 having the proper form and balance to make the heel turn. For training on a toe turn (i.e. a turn toward the side of the snowboard 20 closest to the toes), the snowboard attachment device 130 can be moved around the front of the snowboard 20 toward the heel side of the snowboard 20, and the length of the strap 110 can be adjusted as described above, but with the snowboarder 10 having the proper form and balance to make the toe turn.

While the present invention has been described with reference to a number of specific embodiments, it will be understood that the true spirit and scope of the invention should be determined only with respect to claims that can be supported by the present specification. Further, while in numerous cases herein wherein systems, apparatuses, and methods are described as having a certain number of elements, it will be understood that such systems, apparatuses and methods can be practiced with fewer than the mentioned certain number of elements. 

1. A training apparatus to limit a snowboarder's weight shift on a snowboard, the apparatus comprising: a strap comprising a first end, an opposing second end, and an adjustment device adapted to alter a length of the strap; a snowboarder attachment device connected to the first end of the strap, the snowboarder attachment device adapted for connection to a front-facing side of the waist of the snowboarder; a snowboard attachment device connected to the second end of the strap, the snowboard attachment device adapted for connection along a forward portion of the snowboard; wherein the strap is adjustable to a length that limits the snowboarder's shift in weight from a first foot positioned on a forward portion of the snowboard to a second foot positioned on a rearward portion of the snowboard.
 2. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the strap limits the snowboarder to a weight balance forward of center between the first foot and the second foot.
 3. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snowboarder attachment device comprises a carabiner.
 4. The training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first clip coupling the first end of the strap and the snowboarder attachment device.
 5. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snowboard attachment device is attachable to a front tip of the snowboard.
 6. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snowboard attachment device is attachable along a curved front edge of the snowboard.
 7. The training apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a second clip coupling the second end of the strap and the snowboard attachment device.
 8. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snowboard attachment device comprises a carabiner.
 9. The training apparatus of claim 1, wherein the snowboard attachment device comprises a C-clamp.
 10. The training apparatus of claim 9, further comprising a bolt threaded through a portion of the C-clamp, the bolt being rotateable to secure the C-clamp to the snowboard.
 11. The training apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a gripping material on the bolt to prevent the C-clamp from damaging the snowboard.
 12. The training apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a carabiner to couple the C-clamp to the second end of the strap.
 13. A method for training a snowboarder proper weight balance when riding a snowboard, the method comprising the steps of: providing a strap comprising a first end, an opposing second end, and an adjustment device adapted to alter a length of the strap; providing a snowboarder attachment device connected to the first end of the strap, the snowboarder attachment device adapted for connection to a front-facing side of the waist of the snowboarder; providing a snowboard attachment device connected to the second end of the strap, the snowboard attachment device adapted for connection along a forward portion of the snowboard; fastening the snowboarder attachment device to a front-facing side of the waist of the snowboarder; fastening the snowboard attachment device to the front of the snowboard; and adjusting the strap to a length that limits the snowboarder's shift in weight from a first foot positioned on a forward portion of the snowboard to a second foot positioned on a rearward portion of the snowboard.
 14. The method of 13, wherein the step of adjusting the strap length limits the snowboarder to a weight balance forward of centered between the back foot and a front foot.
 15. The method of 13, wherein adjusting the strap length limits the snowboarder from leaning upslope and shifting the snowboarder's weight to the back foot.
 16. The method of 13, wherein the snowboard attachment device is connected to a front tip of the snowboard.
 17. The method of 13, wherein the snowboard attachment device is connected along a curved front edge of the snowboard.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of fastening the snowboarder attachment device to a front-facing side of the waist of the snowboarder comprising fastening the snowboarder attachment device to a belt worn by the snowboarder.
 19. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of providing a strap comprises providing a strap strong enough to withstand a 100-pound test load. 